Providing information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

TAMPA, FLORIDA--A judge has
ignored a request from Governor Jeb Bush to hold off scheduling the removal of
Terri Schiavo's feeding tube until a special guardian is appointed to look into
her case and "provide the court with an unbiased view that considers" her best
interests.

Bush wrote a letter to Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George W. Greer
Monday afternoon, asking for the delay. The governor said that he would not
normally write a judge about a current legal proceeding, but noted that his
office received 27,000 e-mails "reflecting understandable concern for the well
being" of Schiavo.

"This case represents the disturbing result of a severe family
disagreement in extremely trying circumstances," Bush wrote. "Emotions are
high, accusations abound, and at the heart of this public and private maelstrom
is a young woman incapable of speaking for herself."

"To err on one side is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her
wishes and to continue the debate. To err on the other is an irrevocable act
that affords no remediation."

Judge Greer announced Wednesday that he will ignore the letter and the
sentiments of those who wrote the governor.

"I read [Gov. Bush's letter] because it came from the governor and I
respect his position," Greer told the Tampa Tribune. "Beyond that, it is going
in the file."

Terri was 26 in 1990 when she collapsed and was without oxygen for
several minutes. Since then, she has been breathing on her own, but is given
food and water through the feeding tube installed in her stomach. Judge Greer
has ruled that Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state" and that she cannot
improve. Higher courts in the state have sided with Greer.

Her husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, has convinced the courts that
Terri would not have wanted to live in her current condition.

For five years Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have fought
Michael over Terri's right to continue living. They say Terri is responsive and
alert and may improve with therapies that could be purchased with what is left
over of an insurance settlement -- money that would go to Michael if Terri
dies.

Disability rights advocates are closely watching Terri's situation. Many
say that Terri's death by starvation would send the message that people with
significant disabilities are not worth keeping alive.

Michael Schiavo called Bush's attempt to intervene on his wife's behalf
"crazy".

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center,the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.